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Police said the man ambushed Ellis, hiding in a back bedroom and then firing, hitting Ellis in the head.

Ellis was rushed to a Lexington hospital that morning but his condition has not improved.

A priest who counts several Richmond police officers as members at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church cut a vacation short to organize a service.

Father Jim Sichko explained, "As soon as I heard of this, I said, "We need to come together, we need to pray.'"

During the hour-long service he urged the community to pray not only for Officer Ellis but the two men arrested in connection to the shooting.

Raleigh Sizemore is charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

Gregory Ratliff is charged with complicity.

Police said he allowed officers to search his home without disclosing Sizemore was hiding in a back bedroom with a gun.

Mentioning both men by name, Father Sichko said, "One of the heaviest crosses we will ever have to bear is to forgive, even when something seems unforgivable, even then."

The sanctuary was filled with officers and first responders. While many remained at the hospital, holding vigil Thursday, others like Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington wanted to be at the service.

"We're paying respect to a hero, somebody that does the same thing I do each and every day. We go to work to help people," Trooper Pennington said.

It's why ordinary people like Neil Browning, who never met Ellis, crowded into the church. A member of St. Mark's, he said there was something extraordinary about the service and the community's support.

"It just takes your breath away in a way, just makes you speechless that there's people that care so much to come out and do something like this tonight," Browning said.

Trooper Pennington said it was that support that would help officers in the difficult days ahead. "We'll overcome this tragedy and do what we always do, serve and protect."

St. Mark's collected money Thursday night for the Ellis family. An account has also been set up at Peoples Bank. Donations can be made at the Richmond or Berea locations. Donations can be mailed to: